The Great USAID Debate, hosted by zerohedge

(This version has the cleaned up audio with that audio watermark removed 👍)

The debate around USAID’s $40 billion budget is long overdue. The agency’s documented role in funding media manipulation projects like Internews Network’s 4,291 “partner” outlets and $472 million in covert social engineering campaigns proves it operates as a global perception-management machine, not a humanitarian aid organization. H.R. 1196—the “Protect U.S. National Security Act”—is a Trojan horse pushed by Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) and 16 co-sponsors to cement USAID’s unaccountable spending. This bill doesn’t protect security—it shields bureaucrats who’ve turned taxpayer dollars into a slush fund for regime change ops and narrative control. When USAID funnels $34 million to Politico (which admitted it couldn’t make payroll without federal cash) or $20 million to Sesame Street in Iraq while American cities decay, it’s not soft power—it’s systemic fraud. Defunding this cesspool isn’t isolationism; it’s basic fiscal responsibility. The receipts on USAID’s real agenda and the politicians protecting it are all here:

USAID, the agency tasked with providing humanitarian aid, has a dark underbelly of corruption, theft, and illegal activities that have cost American taxpayers billions. Here’s a thread detailing some of the most shocking crimes committed under its watch: 1/ USAID was involved in a $550 MILLION bribery scheme where an official awarded contracts in exchange for cash and gifts. This wasn’t a one-off; it’s part of a systemic issue. (Source: USAID OIG) 2/ In Afghanistan, billions meant for reconstruction were lost to fraud and mismanagement. The "Promote" program, costing $335 million, saw funds siphoned off instead of boosting agriculture. (Source: SIGAR) 3/ USAID’s covert operation in Cuba, known as "Cuban Twitter," was an illegal attempt to manipulate public opinion. They created a social media platform to foment dissent, deceiving the Cuban people. (Source: AP Investigation) 4/ Health programs weren’t immune either. A contractor misused $57 million intended for HIV/AIDS programs, while another falsified data in a $200 million malaria project, wasting resources and lives. (Source: USAID OIG Audits) 5/ After the Haiti earthquake, $400 million in aid was marred by fraud. Contractors overbilled, and funds were embezzled, leaving Haitians without help while lining pockets. (Source: Senate Subcommittee) 6/ Historically, USAID was linked to illegal arms trafficking during the Cold War, diverting humanitarian funds to arm rebel groups, violating U.S. law and international norms. (Source: Iran-Contra Investigations) 7/ Infrastructure projects in Iraq and Pakistan saw contractors pocketing millions through overbilling and bribery, delaying critical development and wasting taxpayer money. (Source: Various OIG Reports)This isn’t just bad management; it’s criminal. USAID’s history of corruption shows a pattern of illegal activities that demand accountability. How much longer will we allow our tax dollars to fund fraud and theft? #USAIDCorruption #TaxpayerMoney #Accountability

@zerohedge 100% going to listen on my commute tomorrow.

@zerohedge Only a moron, a communist or neocon wants foreign aid. It's a waste of money

@zerohedge I will not watch Cenk Uyghur even for you, Benz. I will catch up on the Kasparov episode that I inexplicably missed.

@zerohedge This is going to be interesting .... can't wait to listen to it tomorrow

@zerohedge Wait- how did this end up becoming a debate about the CIA?!

@zerohedge Can listen to that two face liar Cenk. He will lie about everything that was said here to make himself look good.

We need to concentrate on financing America and what we need not foreign countries many of whom hate us - For pity's sake - We've been sending and astronomical amount of money to the Taliban every month - Anyone remember who we were at war with in Afghanistan, and who killed many American soldiers? What are we paying the Taliban for? What are we getting in return - Couldn't we just let them hate us for free?